NSF's $2.8M survey contract with Westat, Inc. aims to gather data on science and engineering research facilities

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,826,899 ($2.8M)

Contractor: Westat, Inc.

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2023-02-16

End Date: 2027-04-15

Contract Duration: 1,519 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SURVEY OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCH FACILITIES SURVEY CYCLES

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $2.8 million to WESTAT, INC. for work described as: SURVEY OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCH FACILITIES SURVEY CYCLES Key points: 1. Value for money is assessed through the contract's fixed-price structure, which shifts risk to the contractor. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these services. 3. Risk indicators include the contract's duration and the potential for scope creep in data collection efforts. 4. Performance context is tied to the National Science Foundation's need for comprehensive research facility data. 5. Sector positioning places this contract within administrative and management consulting services for scientific research.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's firm fixed-price (FFP) nature is a positive indicator for value, as it caps the government's financial exposure. Benchmarking against similar data collection and survey contracts is challenging without more specific service details, but the total award of $2.8 million over approximately five years suggests a moderate investment for a national-level survey. The contractor, Westat, Inc., has a history of performing similar large-scale data collection and research support services for federal agencies, which implies a degree of established capability and potentially competitive pricing based on their experience.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of two bidders suggests a competitive environment, though the specific number of proposals received and their relative strengths are not detailed here. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and ensures the government selects the most advantageous offer based on a combination of technical merit and cost.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition helps ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a market-driven price. This approach minimizes the risk of overpayment compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the National Science Foundation and the broader scientific research community, who will gain access to critical data on research facilities. The services delivered include the design, execution, and analysis of a survey to collect comprehensive data on science and engineering research facilities across the nation. The geographic impact is national, covering research institutions and facilities throughout the United States. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities for survey researchers, data analysts, and administrative support staff at Westat, Inc. and potentially within the surveyed institutions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for survey fatigue among respondents if not managed effectively.
Risk of incomplete or inaccurate data if response rates are low or data validation is insufficient.
The long duration of the contract (over 4 years) could lead to challenges in adapting to evolving research facility needs or technologies.

Positive Signals

The use of a firm fixed-price contract aligns costs with deliverables and incentivizes contractor efficiency.
Westat, Inc.'s experience in large-scale data collection suggests a higher likelihood of successful execution.
The contract is awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive selection process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on administrative management and general management consulting. The market for such services is substantial, driven by government agencies' needs for data collection, analysis, and program support. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other large-scale federal surveys and data collection efforts, often managed by specialized research firms. The National Science Foundation's mission heavily relies on understanding the landscape of scientific research, making this type of survey critical for strategic planning and resource allocation.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'ss': false. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses within the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless Westat, Inc. voluntarily engages small businesses as subcontractors for specific tasks.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Science Foundation's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability is established through the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring specific deliverables and data quality standards. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed survey methodologies and findings would be subject to NSF's publication policies. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Survey of Research and Development in Industry
Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering
Academic Research and Development Expenditures Survey

Risk Flags

Data Quality Risk
Respondent Engagement Risk
Scope Creep Potential
Contract Duration Management

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $2.8 million to WESTAT, INC.. SURVEY OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCH FACILITIES SURVEY CYCLES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WESTAT, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Science Foundation (National Science Foundation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-02-16. End: 2027-04-15.

What is Westat, Inc.'s track record with the National Science Foundation and similar federal agencies?

Westat, Inc. has a significant history of working with the National Science Foundation (NSF) and other federal agencies on large-scale data collection and research projects. They are known for conducting complex surveys, including those related to education, science, and social policy. For example, Westat has been involved in projects like the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and various surveys for the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Their experience with NSF likely includes previous iterations or related surveys concerning research facilities or scientific workforce. This established relationship and demonstrated capability suggest a lower performance risk for the current contract, as they are familiar with federal contracting processes and data quality expectations.

How does the $2.8 million award compare to similar federal surveys of research facilities?

Comparing the $2.8 million award for the Survey of Science and Engineering Research Facilities requires context regarding the survey's scope, frequency, and methodology. Large-scale national surveys can vary significantly in cost. For instance, the Survey of Doctorate Recipients, also managed by NSF, involves extensive data collection and analysis. While specific cost comparisons are difficult without detailed scope definitions, $2.8 million over approximately five years (roughly $560,000 annually) appears to be a moderate investment for a comprehensive national survey. This figure should be benchmarked against the cost of previous cycles of this specific survey, if available, and against other federal surveys of similar complexity and reach, such as those conducted by the Census Bureau or other science-focused agencies.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential issues with data quality and completeness, respondent fatigue, and the contractor's ability to meet evolving data requirements over the contract's duration. Data quality is a significant concern for any survey; mitigation strategies typically involve rigorous sampling methods, robust data validation protocols, and clear quality assurance plans outlined in the contract. Respondent fatigue can be mitigated through effective communication, user-friendly survey instruments, and potentially incentives. The long contract duration (over four years) poses a risk of scope creep or the need for adaptation; this is managed through clear contract terms, change control processes, and active government oversight to ensure the survey remains relevant and efficient.

What is the expected impact of this survey data on federal science policy and funding?

The data collected from the Survey of Science and Engineering Research Facilities is crucial for informing federal science policy and funding decisions. It provides a foundational understanding of the infrastructure supporting scientific research across the nation, including its condition, utilization, and investment needs. This information helps agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF) identify gaps, prioritize investments in research infrastructure, and justify budget requests to Congress. Policymakers can use the data to assess the competitiveness of U.S. research facilities, understand trends in equipment and space utilization, and develop strategies to support innovation and scientific advancement. Ultimately, the survey data supports evidence-based decision-making to ensure the U.S. maintains a strong and modern research enterprise.

How has federal spending on similar administrative and management consulting services evolved over the past five years?

Federal spending on administrative and management consulting services (NAICS code 541611) has generally seen a steady increase over the past five years, driven by agencies' needs for expertise in areas such as strategic planning, data analysis, program management, and IT modernization. While specific figures fluctuate annually based on agency priorities and budget allocations, the overall trend indicates a sustained demand for these services. Factors contributing to this growth include the complexity of government operations, the need for specialized skills not always available in-house, and the push for greater efficiency and effectiveness in public service delivery. Contracts like the one awarded to Westat, Inc. for survey operations represent a segment of this broader spending category, highlighting the government's reliance on external expertise for critical data-gathering and analytical functions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 49100423Q0004

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7501 WISCONSIN AVE STE 1000E, BETHESDA, MD, 20814

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,911,899

Exercised Options: $2,826,899

Current Obligation: $2,826,899

Actual Outlays: $2,005,446

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F009DA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline